Our Tips

April 2008

Many people know their PC needs service or they want an upgrade to speed-up the internet, etc. but aren’t comfortable disconnecting the PC to bring in it because they may not recall exactly how things were connected. Here’s a simple suggestion to solve this problem. Just take your digital camera and take a photo of the back of your PC before you disconnect all the cables. Be sure you have good lighting so that you will be able to make out all the colors and placement details.

Once you have a good clear photo of your cabling setup, gently remove all the cables from the PC and you’ll be ready to bring it in to have the service you need. Here are some tips for removing the cables:

Most video cables and some older printer cables have thumb-screws on either side of the actual connector – twist these thumb-screws counter clockwise until you feel it has released from the threads
Most cables should be removed by gently pulling them from the case. Be sure to grasp the cable by the thicker part near the connector end rather than pulling on the cable itself, and pull them straight out without twisting or pulling to a side, up or down.

When you bring your PC in for service, unless asked to do so, there is no need to bring in any of the cables or accessories, unless one of these items is the cause of your trouble (e.g. if you suspect your mouse isn’t working properly, then please do bring that in)

Once your PC has been serviced and you take it home, place the PC back where it was and get out the photo you took. Its generally easiest to reconnect all the cables by simply starting at the top or the bottom and simply working your way along the connector panel, adding each cable as seen in your original setup. Note that while most cables are color coded and need to go back into the same slot or socket they came out of, USB cables can go into any USB slot and will work just fine, so you may way want to untangle these USB cables and rearrange them to keep the cables untangled.

If, even with the above tips, the process seems daunting or simply just not comfortable, or if your schedule just doesn’t allow you the time to bring your PC in for service, we’re always ready to come out on a service call to take care of your problem right there in your home or office; give us a call and we’ll arrange a service call that meets your schedule. Either way, we can solve your PC problems in a way that’s comfortable for you and your needs.

March 2008

Hackers are now hiding viruses in the last place you'd expect to find them: anti-spyware software.

The elaborate scam allows hackers to get access to users computers. And for added measure, they even take credit card details on the way. The scam works by posting advertising on big-name websites. A random selection of these ads produce a pop-up window with a fake warning that the user's computer is infected, and offers a download of an anti-spyware program, paid for by credit card. The download, which comes under more than 40 different names such as Spyshredder, is actually a Trojan virus.

The hackers then cash-in three times.

They take the user's money for the supposed software.
They sell the credit card details.
And they even sell access to the infected computer.

Story from Infopackets Windows Newsletter, 11/12/2007]

There are many kinds of Malware (a general term for Viruses, Adware, Spyware, etc) out there, and as this story shows, it is becoming more difficult to tell safe from unsafe, and the results of such malware can be very costly and cause major inconveniece.

Some tips to minimize risk from Malware:

1. Avoid going to websites from email ads you do not recognize

2. Do not accept offers for “FREE Items” when browsing websites

a. This can include Search Tools, Toolbars, Wallpaper, Screen Savers, Fancy Cursors, etc

b. Carefully read the box that offers the free item; sometimes clicking on NO means to continue installing the suspected item (for example, the offer may read like this: “You can have the [item name] at no cost – Shall we stop installing this great new [item] now.”) After reading the offer, be sure to click on the choice which stops the download or installation – if in doubt, close the box by clicking on the “x” near the top right of that window.

c. Items which you have specifically sought out and tried to download yourself, such as from Yahoo, CNET, MSN, AOL, etc. are likely safe – it is the free offers that you never asked for that tend to be dangerous

3. Install and run Anti-Spyware software, in addition to the Anti-Virus software you should already be running.

The Computer Depot can recommend and install appropriate software for automatic protection from many forms of malware. Bring your PC in today and get the protection you need.

Remember: If you think you have been infected by any form of malware, immediately disconnect your PC from the internet, and bring it in to The Computer Depot for testing, cleaning and restoration back to safe internet use; you never know how serious that infection may be, as the above story illustrates.

October 2007

Power Protection-Prevent Data Loss and Downtime

Lightning strikes, power spikes and brownouts can cause major damage. Protect your data and keep your PC up and running.

Here are some tips:

A) Buyer beware! Not all outlet power strips provide the same protection.

Any good surge strip will have a circuit breaker and warning light to indicate that a power spike event has occurred.

An inexpensive outlet strip does not provide the same surge protection and leaves you vulnerable to lightning damage.

Not sure what type you have? Bring it in and we’ll let you know.

We have a variety of Surge Suppressor outlet strips starting at $19.99

B) Complete power protection is available using a device called a U.P.S. (Uninterruptible Power Supply).

These devices have a backup battery inside to keep your computer powered on a short time during a power outage,

allowing you to shut down the computer safely. They also boost or lessen the incoming power to maintain the proper voltage

required by your computer equipment.

UPS systems are in stock starting at $59.99

Remember,

No one can predict when lightning will strike or a blackout or power surge will occur.

The small investment could prevent a major repair or loss of data from a fried computer.

Don’t take a chance, consider it a inexpensive insurance policy for your computer.

When considering a UPS device be sure to get one with enough battery capacity to power

all of the devices connected to it for the desired length of up time during a power outage.

We can help you decide what size is right for you and your computer.

July 2007

Protect your investment.

Laptop computers have become a essential tool in the mobile workforce.

Protecting them from damage is easy, here are some tips.

A. Always remove any external power connectors or expansion cards from your laptop before putting it away in it's bag.

Don’t have a bag? We have many! For sale, starting at $29.99

B Always make sure your laptop is turned completely off before putting it in it's bag to prevent overheating.

Laptops run hot! We sell laptop coolers starting at $19.99

Remember,

If you feel that a laptop bag or cooler is a unnecessary exspense, ask someone you know how difficult and costly it was to have their laptop repaired. The small upfront investment could prevent a repair that costs 5 times as much. Sadly, if our recommendation comes too late, then we can still help. Repair services starting at 34.99.

June 2007

Comfortable Computing With a Laptop Computer Is Possible

Cigarettes have warning labels, why not your portable computer: "using this laptop computer may be harmful to your health."

Laptops can hurt you. They generate enough heat to burn. Their keyboards cause hands and shoulders to ache. Screens tilted at an awkward angle or positioned too far away cause eye strain. Face it: Your laptop can literally become a pain in the neck. Fortunately, minimizing these dangers is easy and inexpensive.

Not Meant For The Lap

If ever a product was misnamed, it's the laptop computer. They're really meant for a desktop, but they're frequently found on our laps – a place they never were intended to be. Aside from the risks caused by heat, this awkward, unstable arrangement is a sure recipe for disaster.

We all see travelers in an airport terminal, legs squeezed together with a computer perched on top. A sheaf of papers and cup of hot coffee are usually within arm's reach. And you know what happens next. The coffee spills, papers go flying, and the computer crashes to the floor. It happens often: According to IDC, 64 percent of damage to laptop computers is caused by drops with a repair bill of more than $1,000 per incident. Even worse is the cost of losing documents that exist only on the laptop's hard drive. Sitting in an airport a thousand miles from home with a broken computer is no way to conduct business.

The fix is simple: put the computer on a slim, durable, and portable non-slip work surface. You might still spill your coffee, but your computer won't crash to the floor.

Heated Topic

Laptops generate tremendous heat. That's not good for the computer and it's downright dangerous to you. As its metal chassis gets hot, heat is conducted downward, onto your legs or desktop.

How dangerous is it? Engineering professors at California State Polytechnic University measured the peak temperature on the underside of a typical laptop computer at a whopping 139.8° Fahrenheit, more than enough to sustain a third-degree burn after just 30 seconds. Even with your slacks or skirt in between, the threat of a serious burn is still very real. But raise the laptop by just a half inch and the danger disappears. On your desktop there's no danger of burnt skin, but placing your computer directly on that flat surface not only reduces its ability to dissipate heat (shortening its lifespan), but also makes it unnatural to type.

Easy, Effective Solution

The Laptop Desk® solves these problems. On your lap, it's a stable, non-slip work surface nearly 21" wide that provides plenty of ventilation and even room for a mouse. On your desk, it raises the computer to comfortable typing angles.

Just 5/8" thick, the Laptop Desk is precision-engineered from the same strong polycarbonate used to make football helmets. Rubber strips molded into the top and bottom surfaces provide plenty of non-slip traction for the computer on one side and your lap on the other. And it folds to a compact size small enough to fit in just about any computer carrying case.

Protecting your computer is just half the story. Minimizing fatigue and avoiding sore shoulders and hands is equally important. That's why certified industrial ergonomist Sally Longyear uses the Laptop Desk when demonstrating correct laptop-computing posture. "Users should choose a work platform that spans their entire lap so they can relax their knees instead of squeezing them together to balance a laptop," she says. "This minimizes strain on the shoulders, neck, back and arms."

With its rubber-topped ridges and wide channels, the Laptop Desk provides ventilation for even the hottest-running computer. In fact, those same professors found that the computer's hot spot dropped by more than 13° F with the Laptop Desk. At last, you can sit in an airport, have a steady work surface, and keep your computer ventilated and your legs cool.

On your desk, you use the Laptop Desk to raise the computer and tilt the keyboard to a comfortable typing angle. Why bother? You'll reduce shoulder and neck strain and minimize wrist aches. The computer benefits, too: raised from direct contact with the desktop, it gets plenty of ventilation.

Laptop users no longer need to trade suffering for portability. With the Laptop Desk, burning legs and aching necks can become history. Your computer is less likely to fall and break. And with overheating reduced, your computer's lifespan can be extended.

The Laptop Desk from LapWorks, it's the best way to assure your comfort and your computer's safety.

April 2007

Spring clean your computer system

Quick tips to make your computer work better

Warmer springtime weather is slowly blowing onto the horizon. It's the time of year to throw open the windows, sweep away the last of the winter dust and take charge of cleaning and organizing your household. So why not apply those same principles to your computer?

A spring cleaning can help your computer run faster and allow you to work more productively. Like many home computer users.

If you're having problems with your computer you should bring it in to be serviced, here at The Computer Depot. But first, a little technological cleaning may put the hum back in your hard drive.

Upgrade your operating system

"Windows XP and Windows Vista are vastly more stable, much less likely to crash and much more secure than Windows 95 or 98. If your system can handle it (visit Windows XP Upgrade Advisor to find out), The Computer Depot highly suggests the upgrade to XP or new installs with Windows Vista

Get rid of clutter

The Computer Depot recommends starting your spring cleaning with the most visible — your icons. Look at your system tray or taskbar on the bottom right corner — those small icons represent programs that start up as your computer boots. It takes time for your computer to load the programs for all those shortcuts. Remove or turn off unnecessary ones, like Messenger, with a swift right click.

And do you need immediate access to all those files, pictures and MP3s on your desktop? Not likely. Categorize them in the My Documents, My Photos and My Music folders to keep them organized and eliminate the clutter on your desktop.

Remove old programs

If you've never used a program that came with your computer or haven't used it in over a year, you may want to consider trashing it. "If you don't use it, get rid of it" and don’t forget If you don't use the Add/Remove (in the Control Panel) or the uninstall program that comes with your program, it's still there." Don't forget to empty the Recycle Bin afterwards.

Defrag your computer

As you work on your computer, information gets stored onto the hard drive in bits and pieces — wherever there is space. To open a certain file, your computer runs around looking for all the components. Think of it as having various chapters of a book on shelves throughout your home, and the having to find all the sections when you want to read the full text. The defrag tool (Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter) does its best to reorder your hard drive.

Clear your cache

Every time you visit a new website, content is stored in your Temporary Internet Files folder, or Cache. Not only does this make surfing the web slower, but it also takes up valuable space on your hard drive. While on Internet Explorer, click on Tools, then Internet Options, and, under Temporary Internet Files > Delete Files.

March 2007

Unless certain updates are applied to your computer, the time zone settings for your computer's system clock may be incorrect during this four-week period.

In particular, you must make sure that both your Windows operating system and your calendar programs are updated.

If you use Windows Vista or have Automatic Updates turned on, you may not be affected by the change in daylight saving time.

If your computer is not set to automatically update, you may want to review the attached links.

Please note computers running Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows ME cannot be updated automatically

as these programs are no longer supported by Microsoft.

MSNBC - Daylight Savings Help .

Windows Mobile Daylight Savings Help

Blackberry Daylight Savings time Help

If you are not sure how to update your computer, please feel free to contact

The Computer Depot to arrange for either in-home or carry in service for your computer.

If your computer is no longer supported by Windows (see models above) maybe now is the time to talk to

us about a new or Computer Depot refurbished computer!

The Computer Depot….. Service You Can Trust… Anytime!

What about our children?

We are all concerned about our children and what they can access on computers and who can access them!

With this in mind, the new Microsoft Vista™ offers parents more controls over what their children can or cannot access.

We, at The Computer Depot, want you to know what is available to you in your next computer purchase.

Visit www.computerdepotny.com often for articles of interest to you and our specials.

Article from Extreme Tech

February 27, 2007
Lock Down Vista with Parental Controls
By Joel Durham Jr.

Won't someone think of the children?

Microsoft did. Windows Vista comes with powerful and easy-to-use features that anyone can wield to prevent kids

and other unauthorized users from accessing all kinds of things. Anybody with an administrator account can prevent

users with standard accounts from downloading files, accessing certain games and applications,

using the computer at certain times of day, and so on.

Of course, we're talking about a new operating system and thousands of old programs, so there are bound to be loopholes.

Your kid doesn't have to be a ninja hacker to discover items you've overlooked through no fault of your own.

For example, sometimes Vista doesn't recognize a game as being a game, and you have to block it as an application.

Further, Vista's Parental Controls rely upon User Account Control, and it's only as strong as an administrator's password.

Parental Controls also fail to offer some content and PC access protections that would have made sense,

such as blocking DVD movie content by rating. Want to stop your kids from watching your DVD copy of Porky's?

Put it under lock and key.

For more on this topic please go to:
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,2098520,00.asp

February 2007

New Tax Law Gives Businesses Powerful Tax Incentives

To Make New Investment In Equipment

Dear Business Customer,

The Computer Depot thought you might be interested in knowing the following information:

As of January 1, 2007, businesses can immediately deduct up to $112,000 for new investment in equipment.

The Tax Law favors “Capital Leases”. These are leases with a “bargain” purchase option such as $100.

True Leases – leases with Fair Market Value Purchase Options – are not favored under the new tax law and do not achieve maximum tax benefits.

Your business can benefit from these advantageous tax incentives now! You can additionally expense a portion of the lease payment as “interest”. Leasing programs can provide low affordable payments, conservation of cash flow, and keep bank credit lines untouched.

During 2006, Congress passed and the President signed the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 (TIPRA). TIPRA gives many small to midsize businesses a break by extending the increased Sec. 179 deduction. Originally scheduled to drop back to $25,000 in 2006, the $100,000 expensing election is now available through 2009. Because this amount is increased for inflation, for 2006 the Sec. 179 deduction is $108,000 and the deduction for 2007 is $112,000.

Leasing provides the perfect structure to take advantage of all of the benefits of the law and at the same time conserve cash with an affordable monthly payment.

Here are the specifics: For businesses, the most lucrative piece of the law is a huge increase in the "Section 179" first-year depreciation allowance for equipment to $112,000 as of January 1, 2007. It was originally $25,000. Under this tax break, businesses can immediately deduct 100 percent of the cost of most new and used business personal property, including computer software.

Please feel free to contact The Computer Depot to find out more about Business Leasing at 845-928-9979.

January 2007